Watch Blue Like Jazz

Blue Like Jazz is a coming-of-age, comedy-drama movie directed by Steve Taylor and based on a book with the same name written by Donald Miller. The story centers around a 19-year-old Texan boy named Don (Marshall Allman) who grew up in a religious family and attends a Christian college. However, he struggles with his faith and decides to transfer to a liberal arts college in Portland, Oregon, to distance himself from his roots and start anew.

In Portland, Don experiences a new culture shock as he interacts with liberal-minded people who have different attitudes than those he encountered in his hometown. He rooms with an activist goth girl, Lauryn (Tania Raymonde), who challenges his views on politics and religion, while also dealing with her own issues. Don also becomes friends with Penny (Claire Holt), a girl with a lot of baggage who is heavily involved in theatre.

As the movie progresses, Don navigates the challenges of making new friends, dealing with heartbreak, and questioning his own beliefs. His experiences in Portland force him to confront his doubts and find his own path. Through a series of incidents, Don eventually comes to realize the importance of authenticity, humility, and forgiveness.

One of the most striking aspects of Blue Like Jazz is that it doesn't shy away from exploring complex issues related to faith and identity. While the movie is definitely aimed at a Christian audience, it is also relevant to anyone who has ever questioned their beliefs or felt out of place. The film is refreshingly honest and authentic in its depiction of real-life issues, and it doesn't shy away from exploring the darker aspects of life.

The cast of Blue Like Jazz is top-notch, with standout performances from Marshall Allman, Tania Raymonde, and Claire Holt. Allman does a fantastic job of conveying Don's journey from naïve believer to someone who is willing to question everything he knows. Raymonde brings a lot of depth and nuance to her role as Lauryn, and her character's struggles with identity and purpose are both touching and relatable. Holt is also great as Penny, bringing a lot of emotional weight to her character's backstory.

Another strong point of Blue Like Jazz is its visuals, which are some of the best I've seen in a low-budget film. The movie takes full advantage of its Portland setting, with beautiful shots of the city's streets, parks, and landmarks. The film also features some impressive visual effects that add a lot of visual interest to certain scenes.

Overall, Blue Like Jazz is an honest, heartfelt movie that tackles important issues in a relatable way. Whether you're a Christian struggling with doubts or someone who is simply looking for a film with substance, this movie is definitely worth your time. It's funny, touching, and thought-provoking all at once, and it leaves you with a lot to think about long after the credits have rolled.

Blue Like Jazz is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 48.